The basis of care giving in the medical is primary care, a strong foundation needed in our healthcare system. From the first line up of care in the community, our primary caregivers have been the professionals who are often the first point of contact with the patients.
By taking a different approach with holistic and personalised care for the patients of different demographic, they are able to treat minor conditions such as upper respiratory infections (a cold), manage chronic illnesses such as diabetes. This is how these caregivers are able to keep the population healthy through each trail and tribulation by taking preventive measures such as targeted health screening.
They are also able to help coordinate their patients’ care with other providers as well to help patients who require more specialised medical attention to navigate the healthcare system.
In Singapore, primary care giving is provided to patients through an island-wide network of outpatient polyclinics, as well as clinics ran by private owned general practitioners (GPs). Currently, there are 20 polyclinics and 1,700 GP clinics.